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Three MILF men nabbed in Sultan Kudarat
 The Philippine military on November 26 nabbed three Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, one of whom was found to be carrying an assault rifle when they tried to pass through a checkpoint in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.It was the first violation of a local peace agreement signed on November 6 by the MILF, the local government, and the 33rd Infantry Batallion (33IB). Under the agreement, only the military and the police are allowed to carry firearms. Captain Deoreynojay Maniwang, civil military operations officer of the 33rd infantry battalion, said the MILF cooperated with their arrest. He said they agreed that it should serve as a reminder to other members to follow the terms of the agreement. The three arrested fighters supposedly did not expect such a strict implementation of the new agreement. Maniwang said they hope that the local peace agreement can halt violence in the 33IB's area of operations. Clashes are common between the military and "lawless armed groups," especially with Umbra Kato and his men who have turned the area into a haven. Maniwang added that the local peace agreement calls on local residents not to coddle Kato's men. Posted by: ryuge 2013-12-01 |
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